How Can You Kill Creeping Charlie?

A:

Quick Answer

Herbicides containing triclopyr are effective in the spring and fall for killing creeping Charlie. It is available to homeowners in products such as Confront, Chaser, Weed-B-Gon (with the purple label), Momentum and Battleship.

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Herbicides should be applied to creeping Charlie when the plant is actively growing. It should be sprayed when daytime temperatures are above 45 degrees and below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For maximum effectiveness, all directions contained on the herbicide of choice should be followed. An alternative method of killing creeping Charlie is by hand weeding. This method is not as effective as using an herbicide because of the weed's extensive root system.

Select the time for implementing weed-killing techniques

The growth of creeping charlie plants is most active in early fall. In order for the weed-killing techniques to be successful, it is crucial to implement those techniques at this precise time. Applying dicamba-containing herbicides at this time leaves the plants weakened, and they won't survive the winter season. Additionally, the herbicides can also be applied in late spring or early summer, but applying them in these times only stalls the plant's propagation, not killing it entirely.

Mow the land

Three days prior to applying the herbicide, thoroughly mow the land. Mowing the land accelerates the growing process of creeping charlie plants, and they grow more leaves. The more leaves a plant grows, the more herbicide it absorbs, leaving it weakened.

Apply the herbicide

Apply a herbicide that contains dicamba three days after mowing the land. Thoroughly apply the herbicide in the areas where the creeping charlie plants are growing. Leave the land in its current condition for at least three days, which means no mowing the land for three days after applying the herbicide.